Golden Retriever Ear Issues: Is This Typical?

Hi Elizabeth, While all dogs can get ear infections, also known as otitis, you’re right that Golden Retrievers are one breed that seem to be more prone to them. Their floppy ears, thick coats, and fondness of the water all contribute to this issue. And, as you’ve already found out, dogs that have had ear troubles in the past seem to be more prone to them in the future, but that doesn’t mean they are bound to suffer from otitis for the rest of their lives. In a lot of cases, repeat infections occur simply because the predisposing factors don’t go away, and the organisms most commonly involved in otitis are commensals, which means that they are found in the skin of ordinary, healthy dogs. Under the right circumstances (eg. moisture, warmth, inflamed/broken skin), these bacteria or yeast can overgrow, turning into an infection. Additionally, we can often fall into the trap of stopping treatment just because the ear “looks” better, without getting proper confirmation that the infection has resolved. If we stop treatment before the infectious organisms have been completely eradicated, the ones that are left behind are going to be those that are most resistant to treatment, which is where antibiotic resistance develops. What worries me most about Bailey’s situation is that the infection seems different to previous episodes. This might be nothing, but it could mean that we are dealing with a different type of infection, or that the infection is more severe than those he’s had in the past. So Bailey does need to be checked out by the vet, but you might need to prepare yourself for a larger bill, and here’s why: If we try to keep costs down when treating ear infections, we might skip doing cytology, and just dispense some generic eardrops. They might help settle the infection, but without knowing exactly what type of bacteria or yeast we are dealing with, we might not use the right medication. If we don’t do cytology at the end of a course of treatment, we might leave some of the infection behind, which means repeat infections with resistant bugs. So by trying to save some money in the short term, we will end up spending a whole lot more down the line, on a problem that could be a whole lot worse. So here’s what needs to happen: Your vet will need to examine Bailey’s ears and take a sample to be examined under the microscope. Depending on his history, they may also recommend sending a sample for culture & sensitivity testing to be sure that they select the best medication for his infection. If you’re not completely confident, ask your vet or vet tech to show you how to clean Bailey’s ears and apply the ear medication. It’s important that the drops get far enough into the ear canal to be effective. At the end of the treatment, your vet will want to take another sample to see if it’s safe to stop the medication, or if they need to treat for longer. Following all these steps will make it much more likely that you will get proper resolution, and minimize the risks of Bailey getting resistant infections. Ask your vet which ear cleaner they would recommend to help keep Bailey’s ears clean. If he likes to swim, be sure to clean his ears out after he’s been in the water. So make an appointment with your vet, and be prepared to spend a few hundred dollars getting this infection under control, or end up spending even more in future. If you would like to discuss this in more detail, head over to Pangovet.com where you can book an online appointment with a vet. Good luck! Dr Karyn